NEBRASKA STATE SENATOR GIVEN AWARD FOR COURAGE, LEADERSHIP

LINCOLN- The legacy of Chief Standing Bear, who in 1879 helped to attain Indigenous rights in the United States, weighs heavily on State Sen. Tom Brewer, the first Native American to serve in the Nebraska Legislature. According to Brewer, it's helped him shape his legislation. "Native Americans haven't had a champion in the Legislature, so when I first came in, I knew it had to be something I focused on," said Brewer.

Over the weekend, Brewer, a member of the Ogalala Sioux Tribe, became the second person to receive the prestigious, national Chief Standing Bear Prize for Courage. The prize aims to continue Standing Bear's legacy of leadership. "As native people, we're always thinking about our actions today, how they're going to impact our descendants seven generations from now," said Katie Brossy, the leader of the Chief Standing Bear Project.

Brewer grew up on the Pine Ridge Reservation before joining the army, with his service taking him to the mountains of Afghanistan. While serving, Brewer earned two Purple Hearts, but said that the Chief Standing Bear Prize stands above that. "It probably will be the largest honor I receive in my lifetime in terms of the value that I put on it," said Brewer.

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STATE AUDITOR REVEALS STEPS TAKEN BY FIRED PONCA CITY CLERK TO RENDER THE COMMUNITY 'NON-OPERATIONAL'

PONCA- Wiping clean city-owned computers, disabling data backup systems, and the deletion of roughly 21 years of city documents were just a few of the steps taken by former Ponca clerk, treasurer, and administrator Denise Peterson prior to her dismissal on February 1st at the behest of the city's mayor, according to a report issued by the Nebraska State Auditor last week.

The nine-page report suggested that Peterson, in doing this, may have violated state laws prohibiting the destruction or misuse of city records. The report also raises questions about two instances in which Peterson was issued two checks from the city over the same period, as well as misuse of a city credit card.

Ponca city officials, in response to the audit, said they believe Peterson's actions were "deliberate and premeditated to leave all the city cupboard bare and the city non-operational." On top of that, Ponca officials said the city incurred "excessive costs" in an attempt to recreate and retrieve the documents removed or destroyed by Peterson. "That act," said State Auditor Mike Foley, "combined with what we do know about the obvious abuse of the city's credit card begs for harsh penalties."

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PROJECTED FARM INCOME IN NEBRASKA TICKS UPWARD DUE TO STRONG PRICES FOR CATTLE

LINCOLN- According to a report issued Friday by the Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center at the University of Missouri, Nebraska's total farm income is projected to be nearly $7.8 million by the end of 2023. The report, produced in conjunction with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Center for Agricultural Profitability, rose this month from a March projection of $7.3 billion.

This rise in projected comes despite lower crop prices across the nation, which were expected to drop receipts by about 14% in Nebraska alone. However, rising receipts from cattle and calves are projected to make up $2.4 billion of Nebraska's total farm revenue, more than offsetting low crop prices.

"Higher production expenses year after year are increasingly challenging profit margins, but for now, strong farm income prospects for 2022 show the strength of the agricultural sector in the state," said the report. On top of that, while drought conditions plagued Nebraska for much of 2023, the report says they aren't projected to have as big an effect across the state as they did in 2022.

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NEBRASKA FARM TO SCHOOL NETWORK WILL HELP GET LOCAL FOOD TO SCHOOL CAFETERIAS

OMAHA- The Nebraska Department of Education and several state partners are launching a new program aimed at getting local farm food to school cafeterias. The Farm to School Network involves the department, the Center for Rural Affairs and Nebraska Extension, plus organizations Buy Fresh Buy Local and No More Empty Pots.

A farm-to-school program is when schools serve locally grown or locally produced fresh foods — such as fruits, vegetables, eggs, honey and meat — to students. A development and advisory committee has been formed to build the network, which will be a “collective action plan that will move farm-to-school forward in Nebraska,” according to a press release.

The network will release an annual report in summer 2025, according to the Education Department. The program is being funded by network partners and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The network will host virtual and in-person listening sessions from Tuesday to Oct. 18 for community members interested in helping.

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NEBRASKA PETITION DRIVE FOR PAID SICK LEAVE HAS $1.7 MILLION IN FUNDING

LINCOLN- A plethora of ballot initiatives across Nebraska have kicked off in preparation for the 2024 elections, and a paid sick leave petition remains firmly in the fundraising lead. Since its official launch in July, Paid Sick Leave for Nebraskans has raised more than $1.7 million, according to its latest campaign finance report. Other initiatives have raised between $50,000 and roughly $80,000.

Almost all of the sick leave campaign’s funding so far comes from the Sixteen Thirty Fund, which has contributed over $1.6 million. The national organization supports efforts across the country to promote “economic equity, affordable health care, climate solutions, racial justice, voter access and other essential social-change goals.”

Other contributors to the campaign for paid sick leave include local groups, including the Nebraska Appleseed Action Fund, the Women’s Fund of Omaha, the Civic Engagement Table, the ACLU of Nebraska Foundation and last year’s minimum wage initiative group, Raise the Wage Nebraska. The current petition proposal would ensure paid sick leave for all Nebraska workers.

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NU PLAN WILL FUND BUILDING RENOVATIONS, REPLACEMENTS FOR NEXT HALF CENTURY

LINCOLN- On Thursday, the NU Board of Regents unanimously approved the creation of a "building renewal fund," which will support the long-term care of university facilities, or around 70% of all state-owned buildings in Nebraska. NU Vice President of Business and Finance Chris Kabourek described the plan as a "capstone moment" for the university system, and said it might help NU address an $800 million backlog of deferred maintenance needs.

"We had a long discussion about the facilities on our campuses, the deferred maintenance, and a long-term, strategic plan to address that," said Kabourek, "That took a lot of strategic thought, a lot of leadership." Over the past year, NU was able to capitalize on historically low interest rates to refinance nearly $500 million in existing bond debt. which created $50 million in savings that was used to create an "internal lending program" used to address facility needs.

University leaders partnered with then-Gov. Ricketts and the Legislature to pass LB384 in 2021, which increased state and university funding for deferred maintenance projects through 2062, which allowed NU to secure $400 million in bond at 2.99%. Kabourel said that as interest rates have risen dramatically since NU was able to secure financing, so too have the savings for Nebraska taxpayers over the next four decades.

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NEBRASKA SUPREME COURT: NRDs, OTHER ENTITIES, LACK STANDING TO OBJECT TO INTER-BASIN TRANSFER OF FLOWS FROM PLATTE

LINCOLN- The Nebraska Supreme Court ruled that some natural resource districts and a power district in the state lack legal standing to object to the proposed transfer of water from the Platte to the Republican River. The original proposal, designed to help Nebraska comply with a compact with Kansas over Republican River flows, would be the first "inter-basin transfer" of its kind in the state of Nebraska.

However, the proposed project, called the "Republican Basin High Flow Diversion Project," drew concern from several natural resource districts situated along the Platte River, as well as the Loup Public Power District. These entities argued that capturing excess flows from the Platte River could damage groundwater irrigators, hydropower production and efficiency, and the surrounding wildlife habitats. Despite this, the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled that these entities have no legal right to object to the compact.

This, in turn, gives Tom Riley, the director of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, ruling power over the proposed project. A spokeswoman from the department said there's currently no timetable on when he will make a decision. Anthony Shutz, a water law authority at the University of Nebraska College of Law, said that the Supreme Court ruling leaves it unclear if any entity would be granted standing to legally object to such inter-basin transfers.

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LINCOLN SCULPTOR'S BUST OF MALCOLM X CHOSEN FOR NEBRASKA HALL OF FAME

LINCOLN- Nathan Murray, a Lincoln-based sculptor, was selected from among three Nebraska artists to design and create the bust of Malcolm Little, who was born on May 19th, 1925 in Omaha, and who was selected by the Nebraska Hall of Fame to reside in the State Capitol's statuary hall. Little, also known as Malcolm X, was selected unanimously by the commission after being passed over twice in the past.

Murray, a 2009 graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln who teaches at the Lux Center for the Arts and Nebraska Wesleyan University, said he was honored to be chosen. "Being a Black Nebraska artist chosen to celebrate such an incredible part of our history is an honor," he said. Murray's other works explore issues of race, ethnicity, and intersectionality.

Meagan Dion, a public art and artist program specialist with the Nebraska Arts Council, said Murray's vision for Malcolm X aligned with the selection committee's priorities. Murray said his mock-up of the sculpture, which was shown to the commission earlier this year, portrayed Malcolm X as both a fighter and an intellectual. "It was very important for me that he have that sense of dignified strength," said Murray, "He was very much focused on doing for yourself, being strong, being moral, just that kinds of self-determination and being willing to be what need to succeed."

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GOVS. REYNOLDS, PILLEN, AND NOEM TOUT RECORDS AT 18TH TRI-STATE GOVERNORS' CONFERENCE IN SIOUX CITY

SIOUX CITY- On Wednesday, the governors of Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota convened in Sioux City to discuss their respective records and hear from local business leaders. The meeting, formally titled the Tri-State Governors' Conference and which featured Govs. Kim Reynolds, Jim Pillen, and Kristi Noem, is a biennial event meant to bolster interstate commerce and cooperation between the three states.

"This is a great opportunity to bring everyone together for our common interests," said Kristie VerMulm McManamy, the former chair of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce, which organized the event. Pillen highlighted four key areas of his work so far as governor, "kids, taxes, agriculture, values." "My dream as governor of Nebraska is that we lift every kids up, that nobody falls through the cracks, not one," said Pillen, "We lift all these kids up and help them get their skill sets for their training."

To attain that goal, Pillen suggested that the business leaders present at the event begin reaching out to and making connections with seventh and eighth graders in all three states, and even consider hiring them out of high school. Pillen also said he's focused on faith and family. "We have to be activated, as conservatives," Pillen said, "If you believe in conservative leadership, we all have to do more. We can't say: 'That's somebody else's issue'."

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GAMING TAX REVENUE FROM NEBRASKA'S RACETRACK CASINOS GREW IN SEPTEMBER

LINCOLN- Gaming tax revenue from Nebraska racetrack casinos continued to grow in September, according to state records. Racetrack casinos generated a total of $1.582 million in revenue for the state, cities and counties. That number reflects a 20% tax on the casinos’ total gross revenue for the month of $7.914 million.

The September tax revenue was up from $1.551 million in August and $1.544 million in July. Three racetrack casinos are currently open in Nebraska: WarHorse Casino in Lincoln, Grand Island Casino Resort in Grand Island and Harrah’s Columbus NE Racing & Casino. Sports betting revenue at the racetrack casinos rose in September for the second straight month as football season got underway.

While climbing steadily since July, the gross revenue from sports wagering represented a narrow slice — about 3.1% — of the total gross gambling revenue from casinos during the month. Slots and electronic gaming devices at the casinos brought in nearly 30 times the gross revenue of sports betting, according to state records.

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17 NEBRASKA NONPROFITS TO SHARE $70 MILLION IN STATE FUNDS FOR 'SHOVEL-READY' BUILDING PROJECTS

LINCOLN- Seventeen Nebraska nonprofits will share around $70 million in grant funds awarded Wednesday by the state for "shovel-ready" building projects. The funds come from the Shovel-ready Capital Recovery and Investment Act Program, for which extra funding was appropriated by the Nebraska Legislature and Gov. Jim Pillen this year.

The fund was created to assist nonprofits with capital projects that were delayed due to the pandemic or that are expected to provide a positive economic impact in the State of Nebraska. The biggest grant winner was Omaha's Creighton University, which is to receive $30 million. The remaining $40 million in funding was divided among the state's three congressional districts.

District 1 winners include the Malone Community Center, Lancaster County Agricultural Society, and Lindsay Area Development. District 2 winners include Creighton Preparatory School, Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart, Omaha Community Playhouse, Rabble Mill, and the Young Men's Christian Association of Greater Omaha. District 3 winners included, among others, Art Farm, Chadron Public Library Foundation, and the Grand Island Children's Museum.

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LOCAL OFFICIALS, FAMILIES PRESS NEBRASKA FOR HELP WITH MENTAL HEALTH CARE GAPS

LINCOLN- On Wednesday, lawmakers part of the Legislature's Health and Human Services committee were told by prosecutors, public defenders, mental health providers, and individuals with mentally ill family members that more needs to be done to address the shortcomings and gaps in the state's mental health care system.

Sarpy County Attorney Lee Polikov emphasized during the hearing that Nebraska's jails and prisons have become the "de facto" largest mental health facilities in many counties. Douglas County Attorney Tom Riley echoed a similar statement, adding that Nebraska needs to do more to shift its approach to mental health towards community-based care and regional mental health facilities. "We might not agree on the specific remedies," Riley told the committee, "but we all agree that this needs to be addressed."

The study, LR199, was proposed by Sen. Mike McDonnell, with the intent of pushing mental health care discussions forward between the courts, probation offices, law enforcement, prosecutors, defense attorneys, schools, and local leaders. "The State of Nebraska is facing an urgent behavioral health crisis," said McDonnell, "Nebraska has unintentionally shifted the responsibility of caring for the mentally unwell to our law enforcement and correctional facilities."

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LINCOLN-LANCASTER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES CHANGE TO COVID VACCINE POLICY

LINCOLN- The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department announced Wednesday that it would no longer be offering COVID-19 vaccine shots to Nebraskans who have private health insurance. Their reasoning for the change, which was provided in a press release, was based on the recent federal decision to no longer pay for every American to receive the vaccines free of charge.

"The Health Department serves as a safety net for members of our community who have limited health care coverage or none at all and helps ensure they have access to the vaccine," said Pat Lopez, the Health Director, "We're now returning to a more traditional role, but if the situation changes, we stand ready to respond."

Most Nebraskans with private health insurance should be able to receive the vaccine with no out-of-pocket costs, and seniors with Medicare will also be able to obtain the vaccine through a pharmacy or health provider. However, some have noted that scheduling a vaccine appointment in Lincoln has become increasingly difficult, but Health Department spokeswoman Leah Bucco-White said the department has checked with several large pharmacies in Lincoln and has not received any reports of a vaccine shortage.

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NEBRASKA REGENTS OK $450M OVERHAUL OF MEMORIAL STADIUM, BUT HAVE FUNDING QUESTIONS

LINCOLN- On Thursday, the University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved a $450 million plan to overhaul and update the 100-year-old Memorial Stadium following the 2024 Husker football season. However, while the item passed unanimously on an 8-0 vote, several regents expressed their concern over the ambitious plan.

Specifically, regents were curious about what contingency plans were in place should Nebraska Athletics fall short in its goal of raising $225 million in private funding for the project. Regent Jim Scheer said he wanted to know of any "off-ramps" the athletic department was considering if this fundraising goal fails to be met.

"We don't want to get caught behind the 8-ball," said Scheer, adding that the project was discussed in great detail among members of the university's Business and Finance Committee, but not the entire Board of Regents. Nebraska Athletics Director Trev Alberts confirmed that the Department was indeed ready "to cut the cloth to fit the quilt" if necessary. Alberts and NU President Ted Carter also stated that ground would not be broken until all of the funding was in place.

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'WE NEED TO BE UNIFIED': NEBRASKA CONGRESSMAN EXPECTS HOUSE SPEAKER VOTE NEXT WEEK

WASHINGTON D.C.- Congress was due for a four-day weekend, but it's coming a couple of days early after the vote to oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy from California. "Congress is essentially shut down until next Wednesday," Rep. Mike Flood said on Wednesday. "The House and Senate can't work together to pass any bills."

All three Republican Nebraska congressman voiced their support for McCarthy, but every Democrat and eight hard right Republicans voted to remove the House Speaker. The final tally was 216-210. "It was a very tough thing to watch and not good for our country," Flood said. "What happened yesterday was reckless."

House Republicans will conference next Tuesday to hear from all the potential candidates to fill McCarthy's role. Flood said he expects a vote on Wednesday. "Going forward, we need to be unified," Flood said. "We need to be focused on spending and national security, and things like this simply cannot happen again."

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WATER ISSUES ARISE AGAIN AT NEBRASKA'S WOMEN'S PRISON DUE TO WELL MAINTENANCE

YORK- Maintenance work on the primary water well at Nebraska's Correctional Center for Women has hampered the York facility's access to clean drinking water. Officials have advised staff and inmates to only consume water from the purified water sources located in "many places" throughout the 275-bed facility, including in all of the housing units, as the prison temporarily draws water from a secondary well.

The maintenance work is expected to be over within a week, but in the meantime, the state is providing bottled water for drinking in areas where there is no water filtering system, the spokeswoman, Dayne Urbanovsky, said. He said water from the alternative well is safe for showering and handwashing and that all water meant for consumption, including in the kitchen, has been filtered by a process called reverse osmosis that separates water molecules from other substances.

It's unclear how many of the facility's water access points offer the filtered water. Multiple women incarcerated at the facility have said that prison staff members posted signs on taps and faucets throughout the prison warning that the water isn't safe to consume, but inmates are still expected to use the water to shower.

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NEBRASKA ATTORNEY GENERAL CHALLENGES CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM BILL

LINCOLN- Attorney General Mike Hilgers is challenging more than one effort to reduce the state’s chronic prison overcrowding. And his efforts are sparking the ire of leading state senators. Sen. Wayne said that it appears to be an effort to account for building a new state prison, a $366 million project. “I believe in the (state) constitution,” the senator said.

While in the Legislature, Hilgers voted with to pass one of the laws he is challenging, LB686, which allows a “deferred judgment” by a judge. The other law he is legally attacking, LB 50, was a much-compromised measure that his AG’s office helped negotiate so it could pass in 2023. Wayne said if the “deferred judgment” law is ruled unconstitutional, problem-solving courts would also be in question.

Hilger's office declined to respond citing they couldn’t comment on a pending legal appeal. This led to criticism from Sen. Conrad who claimed, “That’s politics at its worst". She added that it “challenges the credibility” of the attorney general’s office when it is involved in negotiating legislation.

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STATE OFFICIALS UNVEIL 'NEW VENTURE' STUDENT COMPETITION TO FIND THE 'NEXT HUDL'

LINCOLN- State officials launched a new contest for student entrepreneurs that they hope will lead to creating the “next Hudl,” a sports tech start-up that now employs 3,500 across the world. With about two dozen 20-somethings looking on at Hudl’s downtown Lincoln headquarters, Gov. Jim Pillen pitched the “Governor’s New Ventures Competition” as a way to keep the “best and the brightest” college students in Nebraska from moving away.

The contest will pay $20,000 for the best business idea submitted by Nebraska college students, and $15,000 and $10,000 for second and third place, respectively. “We’re entering into an incredible new economy, and the more that we can do to stimulate students to have the next bold idea that can change the world (the better),” Pillen said.

Bryan Slone, the president of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that Hudl was “a model of what’s possible” in the state. “Where is the coolest sports tech company in the world?” Slone asked. It’s here, he responded. Hudl CEO David Graff, a UNL graduate, said that he and partners entered several similar contests 17 years ago when the company was founded.

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UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT KEARNEY FACULTY, STUDENTS PROTEST BUDGET CUTS

KEARNEY- Faculty and students at the University of Nebraska at Kearney are pushing back against millions in proposed budget cuts that could lead to fewer degrees and faculty positions. The University of Nebraska system is facing an approximate $58 million shortfall over the next two years across its campuses in Lincoln, Omaha and Kearney. UNK is estimating a $4.3 million shortfall this fiscal year.

Will Avilés, a professor of political science at UNK and president of the UNK Education Association, said administrators have proposed cutting approximately 30 faculty positions from 14 departments. The UNK departments of Geography, Philosophy and Theater are proposed to be eliminated. “I don’t think they appreciate or understand how harmful these cuts are going to be,” said Avilés.

Students protested the proposed budget cuts, which have been sent to a Faculty Advisory Committee for further review. The committee’s role is an advisory one. “I think we’re going to lose a lot of those students [from central and western Nebraska],” Avilés said. “Some of the students are not going to then just go to Lincoln or Omaha. They’re going to look elsewhere.”

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GOV. PILLEN CONTRIBUTES TO CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT LB753 WITH $100,000 DONATION

LINCOLN- Gov. Jim Pillen has doubled down on his support for an “opportunity scholarships” bill he signed into law this year, contributing $100,000 to the campaign to fend off an effort to repeal it. The latest campaign finance statements submitted by the Keep Kids First committee indicates that it collected more than $701,000 in contributions over the past two months, pushing its total receipts to retain LB753 to $1.45 million.

The pricey battle pits public school advocates, who maintain that LB753 is a preliminary step to charter schools and a drain on public education, against school choice advocates, who argue that not all students thrive in public schools and some need financial help to afford private school tuition. Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn said that the donations from Pillen and others demonstrate that “there are a lot of Nebraskans who think we should have school choice.”

But Jenni Benson, the president of the Nebraska State Education Association, said that “all Nebraskans should be troubled by these uber-wealthy individuals giving huge $100,000 contributions in their attempt to deny Nebraskans the right to vote on this important issue.” Pillen’s $100,000 donation was among the largest given recently to the drive to oppose the repeal effort.

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